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The act of tantalizing, or state of being tantalized. Gayton.

resenting some good to the view and exciting desire, but continually frustrating the expectations by keeping that good out of reach; to tease; to torment. Thy vain desires, at strife Within themselves, have tantalized thy life. Dryden.

One who tantalizes.

In a tantalizing or teasing manner.

A rare nonmetallic element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also tantalium.

A genus of wading birds comprising the wood ibises. Tantalus's cup (Physics), a philosophical toy, consisting of a cup, within which is the figure of a man, and within the figure a siphon, the longer arm of which passes down through the bottom of the cup, and allows the escape of any liquid that may be poured in, when…

Equivalent in value, signification, or effect. A usage nearly tantamount to constitutional right. Hallam. The certainty that delay, under these circumstances, was tantamount to ruin. De Quincey.

Swiftly; speedily; rapidly; -- a fox-hunting term; as, to ride tantivy.

uranic and magic literature; esp., one of the sacred works of the worshipers of Sakti. -- Tan"tric (-trik), a.

The system of doctrines and rites taught in the tantras. -- Tan"trist (#), n.

A whim, or burst of ill-humor; an affected air. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

An inclosure where the tanning of leather is carried on; a tannery.

A division of dipterous insects in which the proboscis is large and contains lancelike mandibles and maxillæ. The horseflies and robber flies are examples.

One of the popular religions of China, sanctioned by the state. -- Ta"o*ist, a. & n.

In China, an official at the head of the civil and military affairs of a circuit, which consists of two or more fu, or territorial departments; --called also, by foreigners, intendant of circuit. Foreign consuls and commissioners associated with taotais as superintendants of trade at the treaty ports are ranked with th…

To strike with a slight or gentle blow; to touch gently; to rap lightly; to pat; as, to tap one with the hand or a cane.

A kind of cloth prepared by the Polynesians from the inner bark of the paper mulberry; -- sometimes called also kapa.

One of the leather hoods which cover the stirrups of a Mexican saddle.

A Mexican spinous lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) having a head somewhat like that of a toad; -- called also horned toad.

t or band of cotton or linen; a narrow woven fabric used for strings and the like; as, curtains tied with tape.